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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes EDAB 011107=�13 J Economic Development Advisory Board Minutes January 11, 2007 The Economic Development Advisory Board met on January, 11 2007. The meeting was called to order by the Chairperson, Kenneth Kahn, at 8:35 a.m. in the Council Chambers of the Municipal Complex, located at 10500 North Military Trail, Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, and opened with the Pledge of Allegiance. 1. Roll Call Members Presot Kenneth Kahn Chair Lou Gaeta Vice Chair Elaine Beers Casey Steinbacher James Kissel Mark Murnan Sandra Foland Steve Cohen 1 st Alternate Members Absent: Also Present: Joseph Russo, Mayor and Council Liaison (arrived at 8:38 a.m.) Dolores Key, Economic Development Director and Staff Liaison Kelly Smallridge, President of the Business Development Board of Palm Beach County I. Election of Officers The current Chair, Kenneth Kahn, and Vice Chair, Lou Gaeta, will remain by a unanimous vote of 7 -0. 11. Approval of Minutes The Board approved the minutes from the November 9, 2006, meeting. III. Staff Report Mayor Russo stated that the City Manager has targeted March 2007 for the joint meeting between the EDAB and the City Council. Catalfumo has filed for a Comp Plan Amendment for parcel 5 -A. This is being worked through and the Mayor stressed that 5 -A is crucial to economic development. In speaking with state legislators the news was grim as far as the state's willingness to replenish funds for financial incentives. There needs to be a commitment from the City of Palm Beach Gardens for the biotech industry sector. There is discussion of maybe having a fund available and ready. Mayor Russo stated that we could help repay this fund in order to help bring companies to the City but we need to know where everyone stands on this. Prospects are still being worked through and we are trying to bring business to North County. Lou Gaeta asked the Mayor about the specifics of what we are going to do locally as far as incentives for small companies. The Mayor responded that we would welcome small Economic Development Advisory Board Minutes 011107 Page 1 companies and would do all we could to bring them to the City. This is going to be discussed further in the upcoming meeting. We are looking for incentives from Mr. Catalfumo as well. Therefore, we could let a developer add additional densities to enhance the City's participation in a particular project. The City Manger prepared a memo on what the City should be doing. Kenneth Kahn commented that the sooner this meeting takes place the better in order to get the City where it needed to be. He feels that we need to get information out to the business community as soon as possible so that we have their support. Casey Steinbacher asked the Mayor if at the next Economic Development Advisory Board meeting in February, the Board could revisit the proposal as to be in a better position for the March workshop. Kenneth Kahn felt that it would help to have an idea from Kelly Smallridge about the Life Science Plan and a perspective from the recruiting aspect. Kelly responded that this could be prepared. Kelly went on to say that the Fife Science Strategic Committee will be meeting next Friday. They will be putting together information on the Life Science Recruitment Plan done in September 2006 that was presented to the County Commission. Kelly agreed with the Mayor's statements regarding the State Innovation Fund. She said that this is the target of the committee. The $2,000,000.00 Innovation Fund formed by Governor Bush, which was distributed to the three companies, was exhausted. The BCC let the Business Development Board know if the funds are not replenished it will be very hard to get this done at the County level in order to recruit larger companies. This issue will not be going into Special Session. It will be only looked at in the regular session. The legislature's main concerns at this time are taxes and insurance. Kelly stated that she has reached out to all of her counterparts, statewide, whom she felt could help lobby to get this fund replenished. She went on to say that during the next several weeks it is crucial that a hard campaign get underway with letter writing and phone calls, etc. in order to try to get the funds replenished. Kelly said that Enterprise Florida has prepared a position paper for Governor Crist. She has asked for a copy of this to present to businesses so everyone is asking for the same thing. Mayor Russo stated that when he goes to Tallahassee this year he plans to show that the City is committed and that funds that are committed will be utilized the correct way. He is also planning to set up a meeting with the Governor to get him behind this. Kenneth Kahn asked about the Parcel 5 -A Grown Incentive Fund and if these finds were still available. Kelly stated that this is a $50000.00 fund which is a 12- year4d model. This is currently under review. It has a minimum requirement of 50 jobs and most companies coming to Palm Beach County do not meet the criteria. Kenneth said he did not feel all the emphasis should be placed on Bioscience jobs and that other high - paying jobs were just as important. Kelly stated that the BDB does all it can to protect the County. They make sure that companies that come produce results with a high commercialization rate. The Mayor said that Kelly is the go -to person for a new company that comes to us. Kelly said that the BDB has a very strong relationship with the Mayor and she has full confidence in that. The problem again is the funding. IV. Land Development Petitions None. Economic Development Advisory Board Minutes 011107 Page 2 il V. New Business a. SWOT Analysis from 2003: Dolores Key, Staff Liaison, asked all members of the Board, old and new, to review page 3 of the package which was distributed. This is essentially a recap of what the Economic Development Advisory Board has accomplished since its formation. She stated that the final charts on taxable values of property in Palm Beach Gardens and future land use demonstrates the progress on part of the Economic Development Advisory Board. Dolores highlighted the fact that due to the efforts of the City Council, 34.02% of land remains in space conservation. This was done while achieving all of its objectives. b. Data and analysis update induced in Economic Development Element of the City's comprehensive plan (what have we achieved ?): Casey Steinbacher posed that at the next meeting the Board meet with businesses to discuss possible missed growth opportunities that the City could be missing out upon. She said that she was aware of manufacturing growth opportunities that the City was missing out on due to factors such as housing, work force, etc. Mayor Russo agreed with this stating that many Council members do not feel affordable housing is a pressing issue at this time. Lou Gaeta disagreed with this. His feelings were growth opportunities are being lost due to unavailable industrial land. He stated that the biggest problem with growth is the lack of available industrial land needed to place companies. He went on to say there is just no land available. Sandra Foland disagreed, stating that when she tried to expand her own business, she could not due to the fact that the county was keeping the land she was interested in for expansion. Kelly agreed with Lou Gaeta stating that land was needed for companies looking to come here. She stated that IPARC (Interlocal Plan Amendment Review Committee) is meeting today with the intent of studying all vacant parcels in Palm Beach County to be sure there is a healthy mix of land available. They are making sure that there is a large amount available for industrial use. The Economic Development Advisory Board should receive a copy of this report when done. Kenneth Kahn agreed with Mayor Russo that surrounding communities need to participate. Companies should be able to look at land in other communities. Casey Steinbacher stated that we need to come to a decision regarding letting wealthy residential communities continue to develop. Mayor Russo said that overall we always need to be aware of redevelopment issues and what is happening with the landowners. Kenneth Kahn said that this discussion should continue at the next meeting. VI. Next Meeting Next meeting date will be February 8, 2007. There were no comments from the public. Economic Development Advisory Board Minutes 011107 Page 3 f_. VII. Adioumment With no further business to discuss the meeting adjourned at 9:29 a.m. Approval: Kenneth Kahn, Chairperson (f Lou Gaeta, Vice Chairperson Elaine Beers, Board Member Mark Murnan, Board Member 0/�4/�n Casey Stembacher, hoard Member Sandra Foland, Board Member S� Steve Cohen, 15` Alternate Boars Member Attest: Ray Ellis, Deputy City Clerk Note: These summary minutes are prepared in compliance with 286.011 P.S. and are not verbatim transcripts of the meeting. A verbatim audio record is available from the Office of the City Clerk All referenced attachments are on file in the City Clerk's office. 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